50 Cent to Star in Cop Film, ‘Freelancers,’ With De Niro

According to reports, the Academy Award-winning actor has signed on to join 50 in the police drama 'Freelancers,' helmed by 'Soul Plane' director Jessy Terrero. The G-Unit founder has been cast as the lead, in which he'll play a rookie cop welcomed to the force by his deceased father's former partner (De Niro).

The $20 million film is being produced by 50 Cent's film company Cheetah Vision, which recently moved production from their usual shooting location in Grand Rapids, Mich., to New Orleans, for undisclosed reasons. Forest Whitaker is also reportedly in talks to join the film, which is scheduled to begin shooting on April 18.

50 and De Niro, the latter known for his gangster roles in 'Goodfellas,' 'Casino' and 'The Godfather Part II,' last appeared together in the poorly received 2008 film 'Righteous Kill,' which also starred Al Pacino. Terrero previously worked with 50 and Cheetah Vision on the 50 Cent vehicle 'Gun,' which also starred Val Kilmer, and was released in 2010.